The Creator's Plan and Pertinence

By T. F. Igler

The theme of this book is 'higher ground.' The book's message entertains an approaching dispensation allowing the Church to overcome and unify. It is God's justice that a sacrificial 'Body' be set forth; an exemplary 'Ecclesia' manifest to an end generation. The writer embraces the idea that God-ordained officiation, not structure, will be the remedy for disunity and the lack of settlements. The several discussions in this book contain understanding that will benefit the reader toward gaining that 'higher ground.'

• Language: English
• Publisher: New Harbor Press
• Release date: Sep 23, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215335222

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The Creator’s Plan and Pertinence

PRECEPTS AWAKENING OUR END-TIME VISION

T. F. Igler

New Harbor Press

RAPID CITY, SD

Copyright © 2022 by Thomas Igler.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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The Creator’s Plan and Pertinence / Thomas Igler. -- 1st ed.

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1. God’s Plan Cannot Be Denied or Gotten Around

Question: What Are Those Two Immutable Things (Hebrews 6:18)?

The Related Precepts and Similitudes

2. Creation, Garden of Eden, Sin, and Redemption

Treating Basic Parameters, the Fall, Judgment, and Restitution

Genesis 1

Genesis 2

Interpreting the Report: Literal or Allegorical?

Genesis 3

Judgments Pronounced

Concerning Curses and Punishment: Revisit Genesis 3:14–19

Dominion Lost

Enmity with Dominion Lost

Redemption: Revelation’s Overturning, Overturning, Overturning

Chart Representations

Summary

3. Law

Treating God’s Will and Intent, Violations and Resulting Impositions

In the Perfect Economy, Law Is Inherent

The Law, As Pertaining to Moses

How Is the Law Fulfilled?

Chart

4. Biblical Perfection and Overcoming

Perfection and Unity

Perfect: The Word

Perfection: The Subject

Perfection: Thy Will Be Done

Perfection: God’s Predetermined Will

Perfection: The Spirit Is Where the Change Happens

God’s Will and Means in the Matter of Let Us Go On unto Perfection

Chart

Jesus’ Example Shows Us a Finished Product

Perfection: The Church Has an Integral Part

The Second Heaven Estate, As Pertaining to the Church

Perfection: The Ministry of the Church Is a Necessary Part

Chart Representation: Fivefold Ministry and Gifts

Perfection: Its Accomplishment Is a Mystery

Perfection: God’s Requirement Pertaining to the Bigger Picture

Summation

5. Resurrection

To Believe and Embrace: The Defining Step of Faith

Specified Usage of the Word Resurrection

Lazarus

The Reappearing of Old Testament Saints

Thoughts Relating to the Event

6. The High Calling: Bride Message

The High Watermark Understanding Which Completes the Doctrine

The Spirit of the Saint’s Endeavors

The First Resurrection: People and Purpose

The First Resurrection Event: Time and Setting

Revelation 11: The Timeline of the First Resurrection

The Final Resurrection: Who Will Resurrect?

Revelation 20: The Timeline, Events of the Final Resurrection

Revelation 7: Giving Added Details Pertaining to Persons,

7. Spirit, Soul, and Body

Introducing the Basic Parameters Regarding This Subject

Tripartite Man

Chart and Explanation with Intended Redundancy

8. Troubling Issues Clouding the Light of Truth

Treating the Impossible: Necessary Change of Hearts and Minds

A Review

Troubling Issues Worthy of Consideration

Time and Space

Duality of Interpretation

The Man Child Message: Revelation 7:9–17, 12:5, 14:1

Bride of Christ: Election or Other?

Spirit, Soul, and Body

Moving Out a Live Soul (Death and Resurrection Are One Event)

Restoration of the Jew or Replacement Theology?

Organization

The End-Time Message

Pre-, Mid-, or Post-Tribulation Rapture?

The Soul: Mortal or Immortal?

The Godhead

Reviewing the Greater Landscape

9. Love, Judgment, Jacob’s Ladder, and the 1,600 Furlongs of Revelation 14:20

Postscript

Preface

G

od’s Word and Intent¹ are heavenly in origin. We are privileged to search out the often-veiled knowledge of godly precepts. Seeking the hidden wisdom (King James Version, 1 Corinthians 2:7), must be seasoned with the humble confession that divine orders proceed from the Creator’s inner sanctum. The gift of knowledge pertaining to origins and purpose is proprietorial and occasioned only by God’s predetermination. As per Jesus’ statement, No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him (John 6:44). God’s grace in drawing us is ongoing and does not pertain solely to the conversion event. That being the case, there is no danger of an eventual spiritual exhaustion and discouragement as we progress away from worldliness. Lacking the continuing administering of grace, and an affinity to God’s plan, would be equivalent to ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth (2 Timothy 3:7). That is the earmark of an errant spiritual pursuit; forever circling the mountain instead of striking out for the Promised Land. Contrariwise, rightly dividing the word of truth equates to optimizing our walk with the Lord. To wit: Higher ground.

The Holy Spirit permits, even facilitates, interpretation and expounding of an inspired kind. In light of things allowed, the apostle Paul stated, I speak this by permission, and not of commandment (1 Corinthians 6:7). This passage treats a matter of human nature and the discourse does not nearly approach the immediacy of God’s presence. On the other end of the spectrum, the context is very different when he states in 2 Corinthians 12:4, How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Here, he introduces what can be termed the ineffability factor. In the betwixt-and-between, there is an arena of properly acquiring and lawfully sharing of spiritual truths.

Prerequisite to an embrace of God’s plan is that his chosen ones move away from a pride-driven mentality. What needs to be expressed here is that this subscription does not serve the creature. God’s gift of truth serves most effectually in moving us to fear God, Stand in awe, and sin not. There is no place in this forum for the self-serving. What pleases our Lord is humility, sacrifice, and loving him wholly. This book proceeds with that foundation of rightfully fearing, standing in awe, and loving the Creator. We are certain that he has allowed us to be party to his extraordinary plan of the restitution of all things. Our favored position in the matter is "that we might be the righteousness of God in him" (2 Corinthians 5:21). Only therein can we stand justified as gratefully receiving and embracing his revealed omniscience and omnipotence. We know and we declare that, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created (Revelation 4:11).

The book of Jude is taken by certain of this generation, to be expressive of our present world, with a message in particular to the latter church. Verse 3 states, It was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. The same certain take the liberty to teach that the faith includes the greater landscape of our vision and the embrace of God’s plan. To that, I will not disagree. The earnestly contend should never be understood as contesting, incivility, or a mean-spirited stance. The earnestly contend, amongst the ecclesia, should be to earnestly contend against sin and unbelief. And so be it with this book and its author.

As the reader thoughtfully progresses in the reading of this book, they will become aware that many doctrinal settlements are questioned, even redefined. Again, there is no intention of getting into the arena of contest and distain. The greater fear of God and dread is the possibility that the Christian faith and hope would be discouraged. That would be counterproductive to our best intentions. This expositor desires to inform and clarify, so that God’s plan will be better embraced, loved, and sought for.

Truth must be properly reported, and that is only possible if there is good basis toward our loving, merciful, and kind God. Then, as per God’s generosity, we are given license to proceed.

---

1. In the volume of the book: KJV. Scripture in italics. Quotes are often without a reference. Added emphases throughout. The many repetitions are intentional. When helpful, part of a whole text may be repeated.

Introduction

"

In the beginning was

the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). The English term Word, in the native idiom, is logos, and that reflects the idea of intent and determination. The correct treatment of this passage sets forth a foundational step toward understanding God’s plan. Jesus Christ was the Word and he was even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints (Colossians 1:26). Christ was from the beginning, and he was with God. At the time prescribed, he was made manifest in the flesh (John 1:14). In Romans 1:4, the apostle Paul states that Christ was glorified and ascended to heaven as celestial and immortal, eternally by the Father’s right hand. His Divinity is beyond question. Jesus proceeded from the Eternal Father, so He was from the beginning. It is the Eternal God, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were (Romans 4:17). Genesis declares that there was light the first day and the light was good. It was the fourth day that the point of the emanation, or source, was revealed. A fitting similitude.

The heavenly innumerable company of angels themselves creative, were in perfect harmony with God’s creative desires. To wit, God; above all, and sovereign, whose will and intent determined every detail of creation and the forthcoming human saga. God is the author of unity. God is the author of fruitful. God is the author of order. An obedient Heavenly Host progressed wonderfully, being unified in their assignments and contributions toward the creation.

The crowning glory of the Creator and Heavenly Host: Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Genesis 1:26). That glory equates to mankind’s call to be family of God. Heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). Family is the essence of this writing.

Great contest arises over the issue of literal versus symbolic days of creation. The whole issue pales when we believe and subordinate to the fact, with ramifications, that the Almighty God dwells in the Spirit realm. The creation could well have been accomplished in that realm and encompassed eons; and that with typical physical metamorphisms. Consider: Jesus transitioned from Spirit realm to the physical realm effortlessly. The disciples saw and believed. The high priest of theoretical physics and mathematics cannot begin to expound on the mechanics of that phenomenon. God occupies dimensions even beyond time and otherwise, beyond our capacity to entertain. To wit: God could have spoken his creation into our parameters; and he could have done it in literal days. The point being: Faith believing and humble confession negates many foolish arguments. Possibly that is akin to Paul’s message when he said to Timothy, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: Which some professing have erred concerning the faith (1 Timothy 6:20, 21).

The Creator’s Plan is the mother of us all. He wills that we pursue His Plan, His Word, and intent, to the end of overturning the errant course man initiated. God’s better prescription is that all of mankind finish the course of overcoming unto perfection. The end product is a new heaven and a new earth, where the perfected, finished, citizens abide as Holiness unto the Lord. This book purposes to endeavor in that arena of discussion.

• Chapter 1 •

God’s Plan Cannot Be Denied or Gotten Around

Question: What Are Those Two Immutable Things (Hebrews 6:18)?

T

he Bible is multifaceted

and layered. One insight reveals another layer of precepts, and then another. Isaiah 28:10 states, For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little.

An answer to the above question, subheading, embarks toward the revelation of things hidden and precious. Beyond natural understanding, there is spiritual insight. For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God (1 Corinthians 2:10). At times, in Holy Spirit communion, our inner man reaches toward that inner sanctum. Again, we mention the apostle Paul’s reference in 2 Corinthians 12:4; How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Every born-again child of God has the right to entertain and embrace life-changing Holy Ghost experiences. The five wise virgins, Matthew 25, had a reserve of knowledge. We need to understand that beyond knowing, their lives were flavored with obedience. That gained them experiential knowledge, and that is light. Those five were not only hearer, but doer of the work (James 1:25).

Hebrews 6:13–20. "For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14. Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15. And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16. For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17. Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: 19. Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec."

As per the above Scripture, it appears that the obvious answer is, first, the promise. Second or confirmed, was the oath. That answer might suffice, and it is correct. However, beyond this hearing, is an understanding that connects to the believer’s estate of faith-believing. That is an in-Christ estate, where we know, without a shadow of doubt that God’s intent, with an oath, is upon us, called. We are first called according to his purpose and, second, we are sealed in Christ according to the Spirit of promise, chosen. Being chosen equates to being Children of God having place and members in particular. New Testament terminology. Furthermore, we are obedient and faithful participants in the Plan and finalized with the restitution of all things (Acts 3:21).

We are increasing in our relationship, understanding, and in the wisdom of the Lord. Our searching prayerfully into God’s word is ongoing; a work in progress. This brief writing might be regarded as a draft. The more complete answer to the title question would be the assurance we have in this experiential walk in Christ. Exalting God’s plan for our lives is the aim of Paul’s New Testament reiteration of the fact of Promise and Oath. We see this initiation early on with Abraham. Abraham is the father of faith. We are his offspring, ourselves being children of faith. Faith and obedience give forth the experiential part. That is, a move from hearer to the blessed estate of doer. Abraham was that first complete person; as we regard him, Father of Faith.

Genesis 22:1–18 gives the narrative of Abraham offering Isaac. Isaac was the child of promise. The author of that promise required the death of that promise, in a sense, and Abraham was obedient. The thing pleased God. Genesis 22:16–18 states, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: 17. That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; 18. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Hebrews 11:19 states, Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

In greater part, Abraham’s obedience rested in his embrace, by faith, of the resurrecting power of God. From that trust and obedience, God gave forth the oath. It was established. Again, it was the product of faith and obedience. The oath is that part where Abraham moved into partnership with God. He became part and party to God’s plan. It relates to us in that it is the believer’s duty to do, being obedient, according to the promise. It is the gist of Romans 5:10, "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. This Scripture shows us that going forward from hearing and embracing Christ’s gift of reconciliation, we must do" according to Jesus’ example. The Oracle is Jesus Christ; his life because he fulfilled all things and he finished God’s prophesied plan for his life on earth. Even so for us, going forward is to conform to the oath, being in league with and a participant in the plan of God.

Hebrews 6:1 states; Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. This go on is noteworthy because it indicates that beyond hearing a thing, there is an establishing of that thing in our hearts by faith, which would be the doing of a thing . . . the obedience factor. That is the more complete understanding of the text in its broader context. Later in the book, it will be refreshed that obedience is accomplished as a matter of loving God.

The Related Precepts and Similitudes

Genesis 14:18, 19—And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God. 19. And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth.

This Melchizedek is Christ, or, at least a reflection of Christ. Whoever the personage was, some say Shem, it was Christ’s order, and the abovementioned statement of Hebrews 6:20 makes that clear. "Jesus, made an high priest for ever